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Post by Future-Diver on Mar 5, 2023 12:26:43 GMT
"They're the new species, you see, taking over from homo sapiens. Man's had his day. Finished now."
This is simply a first rate Daleks serial and one of my favourite post-regeneration stories. How thrilling and shocking it must have been for viewers in 1966 to hear the Daleks proclaim: "I-am-your-servant!" (2010's 'Victory of The Daleks' attempted a similar thing, but failed miserably). I love the playful nature of the new Doctor; "Would Lesterson listen? Lesterson listen. Lesterson listen, Lesterson listen. Exercises the tongue. Try it. Lesterson listen, Lesterson listen, Lesterson listen". The scene at the end of Episode 4 when Lesterson watches the Dalek production line with mounting horror is stunning, and a truly iconic Doctor Who moment.
The Power Of The Daleks boasts a masterful, intelligent script by David Whittaker - such a shame that all 6 episodes are mostly lost, though I do enjoy watching the animated versions.
9/10
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Post by rapscallion on Mar 5, 2023 12:49:53 GMT
"They're the new species, you see, taking over from homo sapiens. Man's had his day. Finished now."This is simply one of the best ever Daleks serials and one of my favourite post-regeneration stories. Such a shame that it's mostly lost. 9/10 Every missing Doctor Who episode is a tragedy, but for me Power Of The Daleks is the greatest tragedy of them all. Denied the ability of seeing Patrick Troughton step into the role and own it. Plus, like you say, one of the best ever Dalek serials. It's also a crying shame that we're not able to see the second Doctor in a complete story versus the Daleks. Still, I never thought I'd ever see a (almost) complete Troughton / Yeti adventure until 2013 happened. Maybe there's hope for Troughton versus the Daleks.
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Post by Future-Diver on Mar 5, 2023 14:53:17 GMT
"They're the new species, you see, taking over from homo sapiens. Man's had his day. Finished now."This is simply one of the best ever Daleks serials and one of my favourite post-regeneration stories. Such a shame that it's mostly lost. 9/10 Every missing Doctor Who episode is a tragedy, but for me Power Of The Daleks is the greatest tragedy of them all. Denied the ability of seeing Patrick Troughton step into the role and own it. Plus, like you say, one of the best ever Dalek serials. It's also a crying shame that we're not able to see the second Doctor in a complete story versus the Daleks. Still, I never thought I'd ever see a (almost) complete Troughton / Yeti adventure until 2013 happened. Maybe there's hope for Troughton versus the Daleks. "Every missing Doctor Who episode is a tragedy" - very true (unless a few Chibnall era stories go missing, then I wouldn't really cry over that ).
Fingers crossed that there are still some missing episode waiting to be discovered, somewhere.
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Post by Cyggy on Mar 19, 2023 12:53:10 GMT
From a 2021 Rewatch.... Episode 1... (Using 2016 animation)Watching the animation, so we get that nice reprise of the ending of TTP at the start... Funny to think that this episode was broadcast on Bonfire Night in the UK, with families gearing up as it was being shown to go out and watch the usual celebrations. Heck of a time to change a Doctor. # It's the original animation, before any tweaked special edition, so Troughton has a hood that leaps onto his head when he has already sat up without it on. Am expecting more erratic moments like that, if memory of watching this serves correctly. Yes, he has leapt to his feet now which makes it look like a bad edit if this were real. And Ben's face looks constantly as miserable as sin, also as if he hasn't slept for a fortnight. Poor Ben. The Hartnell/Troughton mirror moment. Lost forever - and Heccypoo/Heccy has seen it! Fetch the Mind Probe! I love how Troughton is talking of the Doctor in the third person, as if he might be someone else. This original version of the TPOTD animation isn't too bad, when you consider the wavy armed monstrosity we recently got with WEB 3. But I can see why they went over it again. Moffat has since that the Doctor is walking around in this episode as if he has regenerated before, as defence of his mate's "Timeless Child" arc. Ex-Doctor Who boss Steven Moffat defends the twists in Jodie Whittaker’s The Timeless ChildrenSorry Steven, I don't see it and think you are making things up now. I love how the viewer is kept unsure, with Ben's suggestion that the supposed Doctor may have heard Polly say Ben's name and is bluffing. So here we are on Vulcan. Part of me still likes to think that silly Earthlings have foolishly landed on Spock's homeworld and not noticed the big statures in certain areas. But I realise that I am stretching credibility with said theory. The tape measure with the rocks makes me think of Davison with his piece of string. I like how they have skipped a lot of the "post-regenerative trauma" and just got straight into an adventure, with the Doctor nothing more than deliberately enigmatic as far as the effects of the transition are concerned. No zero rooms. And absolutely no strangling Polly. Best way to proceed I think. The short lived role of the original examiner is perhaps unintentionally amusing. Fancy waiting around on a BBC set for your shot, only for it to involve you getting literally shot after heartily greeting the Doctor without even the courtesy of him replying. I just timed his contribution to the episode and his entire time on screen from first hearty call to fatal gunshot is about 15 seconds, give or take a second or two. I love the eerie soundscape of Vulcan. The BBC were brilliant at this kind of thing imo. And the first mention of "Lesterson's space capsule" now. This story is certainly getting on with it. I only realised recently that the actor playing Lesterson is the same actor playing the original Ven Glynd in "The Way Back" - the first episode of "Blake's 7". I honestly had no idea until then. Janley sounds a little intense and idealistic. Quite how devoted she is to her cause becomes clear later, of course. The pacing of this first episode is very nice, introducing the colonists and the situation at a good pace. While Ben continues to act as the loud voice of doubt of the audience. I am reminded of DOCTOR WHO MONTHLY trying to persistently claim that this first regeneration was not a regeneration but a "rejuvenation" and that this was in fact a younger Hartnell. I guess this was an early warning sign to not allow fans to get any real power regards the making of the show. They just impose their own silliness onto it and mess it up/ruin it. Good incidental music too as the Doctor examines the capsule with a magnifying glass. Lesterson, you liar. You've opened this capsule before. Great ending to the episode with something slithering away. In retrospect nice to think that the arrival of the Second Doctor was accompanied by firework displays all over the UK. He deserved it.
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Post by Cyggy on Mar 19, 2023 12:58:11 GMT
Episode Two...(Using the 2016 animation)I love that familiar eerie incidental music in the capsule; probably from library stock, but this kind of music never fails in it's intent imo. I notice Troughton's Doctor having a muttered little discussion with himself as he tries to make sense of it all. And the threat of one Dalek is emphasised in a way that I only recall repeated from the 2005 Eccleston episode. The guards do remind me of "Paradise Towers" guards in appearance a little bit. "Lesterson listen" is a lovely moment and charming that we have a snippet of it preserved on 8mm. Even in those few precious frames I think you can see how Anneke already adored the working chemistry with Pat. Troughton is sprinkling goodies as he goes along. I love the looking for the microprint with the magnifying glass. And also "Up or down - I don't care which - but destroyed!" line too. This is starting to remind me of "The Caves of Androzani" in that - while doom is approaching - the pathetic, pathetic humans are scheming, plotting and counterplotting amongst themselves. I love the Doctor struggling with a buried Dalek memory of "Something else more terrible. Something I can only half-remember". Followed by the interruption of a knock on the door, so we are left to wonder. Just great scripting I think. Have the Daleks ever been better shot than in this story. The way that it is "watching" Resno. If the recreation of the camera angles in the animation is correct, this seemed to be a very well directed story. Janley is so cunning, immediately bluffing that Resno is not dead. "It recognised the Doctor!" An unseen adventure - or "Evil of the Daleks". Or are Daleks able to instinctively tell it's the Doctor no matter what his form? Great ending. "I AM YOUR SERVANT!!" Classic. Sad to think this story is likely gone forever, but the animation is doing a fair job of bringing it to life imo.
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Post by Cyggy on Mar 19, 2023 13:02:22 GMT
Episode 3…(Using Loose Cannon Recon on Dailymotion)I think Lesterson stumbled over his lines slightly with the bit about “Is it an intelligence that we can control?”, but he recovered well. I love the hesitation in the Dalek’s voice as it responds to Troughton’s “So you’re my servant are you?” And the looking down the tunnel of the Dalek eye stalk, James Bond gun-barrel style is inspired too, I think. The Daleks are so much more cunning here. Whittaker was clearly their best writer. Watching the telesnap of Troughton walking down the corridor in that hat makes me think that the hat was indeed a mistake and it is good that they dropped it, or that Troughton relaxed enough to dispense with it. There is that infamous Radio Times letter about Hartnell having been replaced by “Coco the Clown” and I suspect that it might be all the hat’s fault…. .. I think you can tell, even from the telesnaps, that Anneke and Michael are both already amused by and fond of this new actor playing the Doctor. I think it’s genuine affection on their smiling faces and it’s shining through. “Kidnap Lesterson”, Ben? Bit of a dramatic solution, not really in keeping with our heroes methinks. Troughton is all apologetic Columbo in Lesterson’s laboratory. I love the sabotaging of the Dalek, much like he will sabotage stuff in Zaroff’s laborator a bit later in the season. Janley should be in “The Caves of Androzani” – along with Bragen. They are that cold and calculating and would fit in well with everyone else in that story, I think. 🙂 “Oh no no no no” – “Oh yes yes yes yes!” Not sure about that moment. And am not sure why either. 😕 “A Dalek is bet….!” Classic. 😆 Lesterson’s such an idiot. “I’ve got a badge!” says Troughton to the Dalek blocking his path to the capsule on the ramp. I laughed at that. Wonderful. 😆 One of those three Daleks is very keen on getting his power. “AND POWER?!?” in that high pitch. 😆 But they really need to keep their voices down with “WE WILL KONK-KER!!!!” I don’t think it’s just Lesterson anymore. I think the entire colony is populated by idiots, if the Governor is anything to go by. Nice showdown between the Doctor and Bragen. “WE WILL GET OUR POWER!!” Nice ending again. Such a shame we have nothing from this. Just one representative episode would be nice, but at least it’s on our shelves now. Sort of. I thought this was a strong episode in this story. If this was the only one ever to turn up, I wouldn’t be unhappy. 🙂
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Post by Cyggy on Mar 19, 2023 13:05:19 GMT
Episode 4.....
(Using Loose Cannon Recon on Dailymotion)
Lesterson really needs to stop trusting these Daleks. "WE WILL GET OUR POWER!!!" is hardly helping their benign image.
Thankfully he seems to be completely naive, perhaps blinded by ambition. But he is clearly a doomed soul.
I love how Troughton is charming his way in, past the guards to meet Bragen. And he still wants hats like that too.
Also like the eerie, whistling noise, like a sonic sandstorm blowing across a desert, that accompanies the arrival of a Dalek. Subtle and really effective.
Even as waiters, the Daleks are impatient.... "HAVE YOU FINISHED YOUR LIQUID?"
Bit of a throwback to "The Daleks" - with Troughton mentioning that they need a constant supply of static electricity from the floor.
Nice little lost moment of the Doctor almost playing the recorder while they are hiding during the meeting. A shame we can't see it.
That Dalek must have been itching to kill Janely. To kill all of them in fact.
And now it has to restrain from killing the Doctor of all people. Poor Dalek.
Nice showdown between the Doctor and Bragen, both showing their hands.
All the pennies have finally dropped for Lesterson. Nice performance of a man breaking down by the actor.
Awesome ending to this episode. The stuff of nightmares really. Daleks making Daleks with single minded efficiency. Great stuff.
Another episode that it would be nice to have in the archives.
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Post by Cyggy on Mar 19, 2023 13:07:55 GMT
Episode 5:(Using Loose Cannon Recon on Dailymotion)Such a shame that we have lost the Dalek production line sequence, complete with squelchy innards. I know we have the "toys on a conveyor belt" bit, but it would be lovely to see the whole thing, along with Lesterson's horrified reaction. Am thinking that all these Daleks would sound the same, with no contrast had the likes of Nick Briggs been voicing them back then. Are there any actors around, these days, who could convey someone having a complete breakdown the way that Robert James does Lesterson? It reminds me of a similar breakdown that Bernard Horsfall portrays in an episode of Nigel Kneale's anthology series, "Beasts", called "The Dummy". That ilk of actor seem very few and far between now imo. If there are any around at all. I love how he goes to make a phone call on a traditional old telephone when he announces that he is going to wipe out the Daleks. "The Law of the Daleks". So far as I know that's a title that hasn't been used yet. No doubt one day. I like how, when asked if she is afraid, Polly says that of course she is - of the Daleks - "and so should you be!". It's more realistic - and ultimately braver - imo for a companion to admit that they are in above their heads, than having that New Who default of nothing phasing the companion to the point of them throwing quips at the Monster or threat. This - a scared companion - is better drama imo and takes nothing away from Polly, just makes her and the threat more real? Clever Doctor using more water to hit the right note. Clever David Whitaker too for giving us a Doctor like this. Has a Dalek ever sounded less insincere than the "I AM YOUR SERVANT!" to Bragen before it slings it's hook out of the room as instructed? :lol: Polly continuing to be defiant, refusing to help Valmar "even if I could". This is not the weak companion that perhaps even Anneke Wills thought she was. Those guards look trigger happy in an "Enemy of the World" type way. Nice showdown between Hensell and Bragen. Bragen reminds me of Davros in "Genesis" a little, in offering Hensell a chance to live, by supporting his Bragen's ambitions, before ordering a Dalek to exterminate him when Hensell rejects the offer. "Why do human beings kill human beings" asks the genuinely curious Dalek. Just great writing. "From now on I'll have complete obedience - from everyone!" says an edgy Bragen - and it sounds to me like he is starting to crack up too! Great ending again. Whitaker sure knew how to write cliffhangers. A great episode, with the absence of Ben allowing Polly to shine a bit more. If this one turned up it would be a lovely sample of the story.
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Post by Cyggy on Mar 19, 2023 13:10:43 GMT
Episode 6:(Using Loose Cannon Recon on Dailymotion)The last Troughton of this insane, reverse-story-order rewatch. And a good one to go out on, I guess. Whittaker has paced his storyline well, in retrospect - or at least wisely left the Dalek's wholesale slaughter until now, this final instalment. Bit of an odd start though, particularly after all that ruthless chanting and determination, when the Daleks merely warn the guard and the Doctor's group that "This area is restricted!", causing the humans to back off and then the Daleks says "They will be exterminated!" once they have gone. Why not just exterminate them then and there? :? The penny drops for an eavesdropping Valmar. The idiot. Ben's back after clearly having a holiday for a week. That stupid burbling noise the television communicator makes before anyone speaks.... I always used to assume it was a chewed up bit of tape on the reel to reel audio recordings of this story, but I think it is as transmitted. :? It was a wise move, I think, to have the Doctor's greatest enemies as the first challenge of the first ever changeover of Doctor. "WE ARE YOUR FRIENDS!", "WE WILL SERVE YOU!". And Valmar and Janely still believe it and are still trying to use the Daleks for their own ends. How dumb. With idiocy like that, they deserve what's coming. Great scene with a broken Lesterson and the Doctor, Ben and Polly, talking about the cable. "You should ask the Daleks!". Great stuff. In the recon the same telesnapped people seem to be getting shot more than once. :? Janely has copped it. "She wasn't as bad as you think!". says a mourning Valmar. Err, yes, I think she was. At least Bragen has his longed for desk now, where nobody will respond to his desperate orders barked into the intercom. :lol: Nice eerie scene as the episode takes note of all the Daleks' slaughter so far; body after body laying in stillness. Great moment, rightly praised, where Lesterson says "I gave you life!" - and gets the Dalek's answer. Good explosive end to the Daleks. Valmar shoots Bragen dead and then calls him a murderer. Is he destined to be any better if put in charge? Troughton has come over all Tom after using the D-Mat gun and seems to have his memory wiped of how he saved everyone. Or is he just pretending? The question is left hanging over whether this Doctor knows what he is doing - although he clearly does. A very different take on the character to Hartnell's. Does the raising of the Dalek eyestalk at the end mean that the Vulcan colonists are ultimately doomed? We never find out. So, in terms of choosing which episode most needs returning, it boils down imo to this or the first 10 minutes of episode 1. It's got to be episode 1. The chance to see the first moments of Troughton's portrayl, compared to well directed scenes of toy Daleks blowing up. But it's not an easy choice to make as this episode is a great ending to the story overall. Farewell then Pat, as this rewatch moves onto the reverse story order Hartnell Era - starting with "The Tenth Planet" part 4.
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Post by Black Orchid on Mar 29, 2023 16:06:52 GMT
Colourised by Clayton Hickman
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Post by GC on Apr 11, 2023 18:57:45 GMT
Another of Clayton Hickman's colourisations I rather like...
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Post by Black Orchid on Apr 20, 2023 16:58:36 GMT
designed by Christopher Loftus
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Post by Black Orchid on May 1, 2023 12:43:53 GMT
Clayton Hickman, twitter
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Post by Black Orchid on May 1, 2023 12:44:49 GMT
Clayton Hickman, twitter
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Post by dsjr on May 12, 2023 18:12:07 GMT
Finally got to this on the big re-watch and enjoyed the original DVD issue so much I've bought the special edition (only £3.99 on Amazon). I loved David Whitaker's take on the Daleks right from the Dalek Chronicles and maybe this story makes more sense if it's not long after 'Evil' in their timeline?
Anyway, I was so lucky to watch it as a nine year old back in late '66 and I'm damned angry it was wiped and junked. One can hope, but it's so unlikely any episodes will be found now.
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